So some of you may know me, most of you probably don't. But I'm a recent graduate from UVA with a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. About 2 years ago, I decided that I wanted to practice IP law so I found this website, started learning about the application process, and studied for the LSAT. I got a decent score when I took it last fall and was able to get accepted to Temple Law, Part-Time, without scholarship money. (After asking for reconsideration they ended up giving me $15k over the four years and said that I qualified for in-state tuition making the sum total of 4 year tuition expenses less than $40k.)

I wanted to go part-time so that I could support my wife and hopefully land a technical specialist job at a law firm. I was informed, on this website, that I was out of my mind. I decided that while writing my thesis (of over 300 pages) and finishing my research I would study for the Patent Bar exam which I took last month and passed 4 days before my graduation. Within 2 days of sending out my resume and CV to many, many (I applied to ~50) law firms I got asked in for an interview and just today I was offered a job in downtown Philadelphia for an established IP firm for a substantial salary. They also informed me that after law school they would convert me directly to an associate so I have that job lined up as well, and won't have to worry about summer recruiting.

I'm not writing this to gloat. So many people on here are ridiculed for having a dream and a goal that may seem kind of crazy, especially in this climate. But from one special snow flake to another, if you want it bad enough, you can make your own luck and succeed.

I also want to thank all the members of TLS who helped me and offered constructive criticism. I think I would have been lost without this website.

this site is riddled with elitist children who have no idea what a day of work in the real world is like, and whose opinions are based on their own false ivory tower syndrome. it's pretty funny to read on a daily basis.

Your post made my day. I have a science PhD and am taking the patent bar this summer prior to starting law school. Well done on your job offer. Hopefully that is a sign that the IP law market isn't dead.

UFMatt wrote:Your post made my day. I have a science PhD and am taking the patent bar this summer prior to starting law school. Well done on your job offer. Hopefully that is a sign that the IP law market isn't dead.

Congratulations! Sounds like you absolutely deserve your phenomenal success; here's hoping that many, many other TLSers will have the same experience! Thank your lucky stars that you had the right background for IP. Good luck in all your future endeavors!

Congratulations! I am headed to Temple's Part-Time program and would be interested to get your thoughts on the program. How are the job propsects for the others in the part-time program? Did you find going part-time was a disadvantage in finding a job? I would assume that your PhD was helpful in landing the opportunity you mentioned.

Personally, I am a non-trad student and will need to retain my full time job to support my family so a part-time program is really my only option. I am looking forward to be an evening student at Temple and have strong regard for the school. I am concerned, as most other are, with the job prospects up graduation. I was motivated when I read your post. So thanks and again congratulations.

Your story represents a segment of the 0L population many on this forum seem to pretend doesn't exist. Those who have already accomplished something in their careers and are using law school as a complement to an impressive resume. Not only that, but entering law school with some money in the bank means sticker for us, is less than sticker for others when doing the ROI caluclation.

I for one am no organic chemist, but I do have a successful career with a high profile company, and I would really like to stay with the company after graduation, just in a new field.

The highly experienced 22 year olds on TLS have been sure to tell me how foolish I am for attending a T4 in this economy though.

thwalls wrote:So some of you may know me, most of you probably don't. But I'm a recent graduate from UVA with a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. About 2 years ago, I decided that I wanted to practice IP law so I found this website, started learning about the application process, and studied for the LSAT. I got a decent score when I took it last fall and was able to get accepted to Temple Law, Part-Time, without scholarship money. (After asking for reconsideration they ended up giving me $15k over the four years and said that I qualified for in-state tuition making the sum total of 4 year tuition expenses less than $40k.)

I wanted to go part-time so that I could support my wife and hopefully land a technical specialist job at a law firm. I was informed, on this website, that I was out of my mind. I decided that while writing my thesis (of over 300 pages) and finishing my research I would study for the Patent Bar exam which I took last month and passed 4 days before my graduation. Within 2 days of sending out my resume and CV to many, many (I applied to ~50) law firms I got asked in for an interview and just today I was offered a job in downtown Philadelphia for an established IP firm for a substantial salary. They also informed me that after law school they would convert me directly to an associate so I have that job lined up as well, and won't have to worry about summer recruiting.

I'm not writing this to gloat. So many people on here are ridiculed for having a dream and a goal that may seem kind of crazy, especially in this climate. But from one special snow flake to another, if you want it bad enough, you can make your own luck and succeed.

I also want to thank all the members of TLS who helped me and offered constructive criticism. I think I would have been lost without this website.

Good luck to everyone on their future endeavors!

This made my day. Obviously numbers matter, and so many are thrown around here. I am a non-traditional applicant as well. Gives me hope!

Tautology wrote:I do not understand the relevance of figurative snowflakes to this post.

I think he implied rather than stated that going to a school that some don't think as highly of on here still managed to produce a very successful result with the right background and amount of work applied.

The "special snowflake" beats the odds of being a jobless t4er with only a giant debt to show for it. Maybe I am wrong, but that is the way I read it.

thwalls wrote:So some of you may know me, most of you probably don't. But I'm a recent graduate from UVA with a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. About 2 years ago, I decided that I wanted to practice IP law so I found this website, started learning about the application process, and studied for the LSAT. I got a decent score when I took it last fall and was able to get accepted to Temple Law, Part-Time, without scholarship money. (After asking for reconsideration they ended up giving me $15k over the four years and said that I qualified for in-state tuition making the sum total of 4 year tuition expenses less than $40k.)

I wanted to go part-time so that I could support my wife and hopefully land a technical specialist job at a law firm. I was informed, on this website, that I was out of my mind. I decided that while writing my thesis (of over 300 pages) and finishing my research I would study for the Patent Bar exam which I took last month and passed 4 days before my graduation. Within 2 days of sending out my resume and CV to many, many (I applied to ~50) law firms I got asked in for an interview and just today I was offered a job in downtown Philadelphia for an established IP firm for a substantial salary. They also informed me that after law school they would convert me directly to an associate so I have that job lined up as well, and won't have to worry about summer recruiting.

I'm not writing this to gloat. So many people on here are ridiculed for having a dream and a goal that may seem kind of crazy, especially in this climate. But from one special snow flake to another, if you want it bad enough, you can make your own luck and succeed.

I also want to thank all the members of TLS who helped me and offered constructive criticism. I think I would have been lost without this website.

thwalls wrote:So some of you may know me, most of you probably don't. But I'm a recent graduate from UVA with a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. About 2 years ago, I decided that I wanted to practice IP law so I found this website, started learning about the application process, and studied for the LSAT. I got a decent score when I took it last fall and was able to get accepted to Temple Law, Part-Time, without scholarship money. (After asking for reconsideration they ended up giving me $15k over the four years and said that I qualified for in-state tuition making the sum total of 4 year tuition expenses less than $40k.)

I wanted to go part-time so that I could support my wife and hopefully land a technical specialist job at a law firm. I was informed, on this website, that I was out of my mind. I decided that while writing my thesis (of over 300 pages) and finishing my research I would study for the Patent Bar exam which I took last month and passed 4 days before my graduation. Within 2 days of sending out my resume and CV to many, many (I applied to ~50) law firms I got asked in for an interview and just today I was offered a job in downtown Philadelphia for an established IP firm for a substantial salary. They also informed me that after law school they would convert me directly to an associate so I have that job lined up as well, and won't have to worry about summer recruiting.

I'm not writing this to gloat. So many people on here are ridiculed for having a dream and a goal that may seem kind of crazy, especially in this climate. But from one special snow flake to another, if you want it bad enough, you can make your own luck and succeed.

I also want to thank all the members of TLS who helped me and offered constructive criticism. I think I would have been lost without this website.